Edwards Stepping Away from JGR per FOXsports.com

In a surprising announcement Tuesday, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Carl Edwards reportedly said he will not driver in 2017. Representatives from JGR and Edwards have not spoken publicly about the FOXsports.com report.

On Wednesday Daniel Suarez will be introduced as Edwards replacement for the upcoming season.

Suarez won the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series and has been developing in the Gibbs stable since 2014. He is a native of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and is 25 years old. Suarez won his first XFINITY race last season at Michigan, passing Kyle Busch on the final lap.

Edwards reasons for leaving are not exactly known at this point but according to FOXsports.com said that Edwards wanted to explore outside interests. Edwards has been a regular on different NASCAR broadcasts during rain delays. He is well spoken.

Edwards is 37 and widely considered a threat to win the Championship year after year.